Michael Brewer Burned by Bullies Over Video Game and Bike
Five Teens Charged as Boy Burned by Bullies Fights for Life; 80% of Boy's Body Burned
And it all began over a video game...
15-Year-Old Florida Boy Burned By Bullies
According to Crimesider and the Los Angeles Times, Broward County Sheriff's Office spokesman Jim Leljedal said that Michael Brewer borrowed $40 to buy a video game by Matthew Bent, 15, one of the teens that later attacked him, but never paid him back. Bent then allegedly attempted to steal Brewer's father's $500 custom bike and Michael Brewer turned him in to authorities. Bent was arrested as he was leaving with the bike, spent the night at a juvenile center, and was released Monday.
Michael Brewer stayed home from school Monday, fearful that Bent might seek revenge. His mother told officials that he had been petrified the entire day.
According to authorities, Matthew Bent organized what Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti called a "case of retaliation." Lamberti said that the kids in the neighborhood were afraid of Bent. Bent, which authorities characterized as the local bully, and four other teens cornered Brewer at an apartment complex pool and called him a snitch. When he tried to leave, one doused him with alcohol as Bent yelled, "Pour it on him!"
Then Jesus Mendez, 15, set Michael Brewer on fire with the flick of a lighter.
Michael Brewer and a nearby bush caught on fire, witnesses told investigators. The teen ran 150 yards to the pool and jumped in. By that time, he had been burnt over much of his torso and his arms. Most of his hair was burned away, as was his eyebrows.
Other neighborhood teens gathered at the pool called 911 and helped with the investigation.
Police report that some of the teens later charged laughed while they were being questioned about the attack.
Sheriff Lamberti said it was "one of the most heinous crimes" he had ever seen.
Boy Burned By Bullies Suffered "Life-Changing Event"
Dr. Nicholas Namias, director of the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Burn Center, commented, "This is just an incredibly cruel thing, that anybody could have possibly done this to another human being." Namias, who will oversee Brewer's care, said that months of recovery are ahead for the teen. "This is just the beginning, if all goes well, of many months in the ICU and the hospital, many operations of skin grafting, many sessions of occupational therapy. This is a life-changing event for this young man."
It is a life-changing event for the other five involved in the incident as well. All five -- four of whom are 15 years old, one thirteen -- have been charged with aggravated battery. Jesus Mendez faces an additional charge of attempted second-degree murder for setting Brewer on fire.
If Michael Brewer dies, they will all face charges of murder.
All five youths charged have criminal records. All are sealed by court order.
It is unclear why the five have not been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, since the attack was organized, according to investigators. Nor is it clear why the other four are not charged with accessory to the attempted second-degree murder being levied against Jesus Mendez. Given the ongoing investigation, those charges may be pending.
Attorneys Argue Clients Of Boys' Participation When They Burned Michael Brewer "Minimal"
Attorneys for Matthew Bent, Denver and Jeremy Jarvis said their involvement was "minimal." The lawyer for Jeremy Jarvis, 13, said that he was "just there." The judge ordered the three to spend 21 days in juvenile detention.
Characterizing Matthew Bent's involvement in the attack on Michael Brewer as "minimal" might appear ludicrous considering that he was the teen investigators believe organized the incident. Jesus Mendez being charged with attempted second-degree murder assumes premeditation of some kind. Saying that the youngest involved was "just there" might seem to square with the events that unfolded but negates the fact that the teens were organized to commit a crime against another individual.
The planned retaliatory attack may not have involved the act of premeditating murder and the investigation would seem to hinge around the rubbing alcohol that was thrown onto Michael Brewer. If the alcohol had been brought to the scene or was opportunistically acquired at the scene with the idea of using it to set Brewer on fire but not to kill him, then first degree murder or attempted first-degree murder does not apply. Under Florida law, a second-degree murder charge does not require proof of intent. It is further defined as an act committed against "another human-being by acting in a manner imminently dangerous with a depraved mind." Mendez' charge is qualified by its "attempt" status.
And it all began over a $40 video game...
Michael Brewer's family has set up a foundation with Bank of America to take in donations to help with medical expenses. The foundation's account number is 898035752616. Donations can be deposited at any Bank of America.
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Sources:
CBSNews.com
LATimes.com
JacksonvilleLawyer.com
Published by Saul Relative
WVU graduate, with degrees in History, English, Secondary Education, Computer Programming, and Psychology (and nearly a degree in Political Science). Originally from West Virginia, with stints in Virginia,... View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentYou know why society is going to the dogs? It is because that people have kicked God out of their lives, and Satan has entered in. Bring back corporal punishment in our schools and spanking back in the home, and the problem will be solved. Spare the rod, and spoil the child.
I completely agree with what "In California" said and as I've said since I gave birth to both of my boys...anybody causes them harm...I will hope they DON'T go to jail. I would wait, watch, observe and when the time was right...would ensure they suffer the same pain that this poor boy did. And...all five of them would know it was me. Their parents need to be held accountable and stop making excuses...they are "good boys...there are two sides". BULL! They are evil and do not deserve to live the rest of their lives with "the system" making excuses for them. What is wrong with people??? Mom's a meth head, dad's an arsonist for this Jarvis boy..where are the other parents of those losers?!? Sorry..harsh but true.
My heart and prayers goes out to Michael Brewer and his family. Now what needs to be done is that parents need to be made responsible for their children's action. It's true the laws for juveniles differs greatly. Maybe if we throw the parents in jail, they will start discipling their children. It's time for parents to get a backbone.
This is just an outrage...How much longer are we willing to put up with these individuals who have NO regard or respect for life. Let's send a loud and clear message to our youth....AN EYE FOR AN EYE.
This is just an outrage...how much longer are we willing to put up with these individuals who have NO regard or respect for life. An eye for an eye.
There is something seriously wrong with the juvenile justice system in the U.S. The actions committed by these kids are grave enough that they need to get more than the slap on the wrist that the current juvenile justice system gives them. However, these are still kids. Stupid, lame-brained, punks but still kids. The scientific research unequivocally shows that kids these age have seriously impaired judgment. To punish them by sending them to adult jails is cruel and unusual. We need to seriously reform the juvenile justice system so there is a middle way where serious juvenile offenders can be punished with more than a slap on the wrist but still be given a decent shot at rehabilitation. The U.K. and New Zealand has shown cases where child murderers properly handled by the justice system have grown up to be normal, law-abiding, and moral adults.
But then again, American society is vengeful and bloodthirsty (just look at the posts here) and we will just continue this cycle of teachi
The astonishingly atrocious act committed against Michael Brewer is such as shocks the minds of all but those who would be disposed to commit such an act in the first place. Make no mistake, the kind of person who would do what the perpetrators did to Michael would just as soon do the same to you, your child, or a member of your community. Such sociopathic personalities have been known to exist for so long as human beings have sought to live according to a social order. The concepts of right, wrong, compassion, fairness, justice and decency are as alien to them as are the surfaces of the outer planets. They are no more capable of feeling remorse than is a block of granite and are less interested..
Millennia ago, it was realized that the manifestations of violent sometimes exceedingly violent sociopathy was an inescapable aspect of the human condition and that means of controlling those manifestations had to be found lest men and women be unable to live together in communities.
-this is just so sad to hear that a teenage boy can get hurt like this...im a teenager myself...and as i heard this on the radio...i broke down in tears,...heart goes to michael brewer and his family
My heart goes out to the family and for Michael. I just sat and cried. I have two boys 11 and 13. I know for a fact%2C if this happened to one of mine. I would loose it%2C those 5 evil boys would%27nt be alive to go to court. I believe in an eye for and eye. Wake up people%2C our laws are not working anymore. No one is affraid of what will happen to them if they commit a crime. What a nightmare for this family. For the other parents of these 5 evil boys. Shame on you I would burn your house down with you in it.
My heart goes out to the family and for Michael. I just sat and cried. I have two boys 11 and 13. I know for a fact, if this happened to one of mine. I would loose it, those 5 evil boys would'nt be alive to go to court. I believe in an eye for and eye. Wake up people, our laws are not working anymore. No one is affraid of what will happen to them if they commit a crime. What a nightmare for this family. For the other parents of these 5 evil boys. Shame on you I would burn your house down with you in it.